The Glen is Mine (1980) for Wind Octet

Duration: 17 minutes

Commissioned by Whispering Wind Band

This is scored for "Harmonie Band", a combination popular for outdoor concerts in the 18th century, comprising 2obs (2o=crotale in G); 2 cls in Bb (1o=sop sax) (2o=cl in Eb); 2 hns; 2 bsns.
McQueen develops his exploration of 18th Century pibroch, in this case "The Glen is Mine". This is one of the first pieces a piper learns in the genre, because of its classic shape.

The work follows the shape of the twelve sections of the original pibroch to create a new form. This consists of a Slow Introduction, Theme with three variations and an Allegro with central Chorale, which builds to a cathartic "Climax" - 3 saxophone cadenzas between collapsing flourishes on the other instruments. A short Finale ends the work, which features virtuosic "crunluath" figuration cast as free "mobiles" beneath phrases of the original theme or "Urlar" on the skirling clarinets.